Wire-stretcher.



I No. 827,085. PATENTED JULY 31, 1906.

- w. GULP.

WIRE STRETGHER. APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1906.

A TTORNE Y5 WJTNESSES;

WlLLlS EAR-MON GULF, OF KING, TEXAS.

WlRE-STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 31, 1906.

Application filed May 15, 1906. Serial No. 316,976.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIS HARMON CULP, a citizen of the United States, residing at King, in the county of Coryell and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Wire- Stretcher, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for stretching wire, more particularly for stretching the strand-wires of fences, and has for its object to improve the construction and increase the efficiency and utility of devices of this character.

With these and other objects in view, which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction, as hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which corresponding parts are denoted by like designating characters, is illustrated the preferred form of the embodiment of the invention capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention within the scope of the appended claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 is a plan view, of the 1111- proved device applied. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the chain-guide detached.

The improved device comprises a frame 10, preferably in rectangular shape and with one end 11 provided with a central aperture 12 to form a guide for the draft-chain, as hereinafter explained. Mounted for rotation upon an axle 13 in the frame is a drum 14, having aratchet-wheel 15 outside the frame and a ratchet-wheel 16 inside the frame. chain 17 is connected at one end to the drum 14 and extends through the aperture 12 in the end member 11 and is provided at its free end with a wire clip of approved form, as represented at lever 19 is journaled upon the axle 13 of the drum 14 and provided with a spaced bar 20, extending over the ratchet-wheel 15 for a short distance and forming a guard thereto, and pivoted at 21 between the lever 19 and 18. An operating arm or transversely of said frame,

the bar is a pawl 22 for operatin upon the ratchet-wheel 15, while a stop-paw oted at 24 to the frame 10 and operates upon the ratchet-wheel 16 to hold the chain 17 m strained position. Extending transversely of the frame 10 is arod 25, and swinging upon this rod are two arms 26 27, extending in opposite directions from the frame and terminating in forked spurs 28 29 for bearing against a post 30 or other stationary structure to which the device is to be coupled. Connected at 31 to the frame 10 at one side is a chain 32, and pivoted at 33 to the frame 10 at the opposite side is a curved lever 34, the latter adapted to receive one ofthe links of the chain 32. The frame 10 is also provided with a swingin link 35, adapted to receive the free end of the lever 34 and lock the same in closed position, as shown in Fig. 1.

l/Vhen it is desired to stretch a wire, the stay-bars 26 27 are disposed in position against a post 30 or other suitable structure, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the chain 32 passed around the post and stretched as tightly as possible by hand and one of the links passed over the lever 34 when the latter is in open position, and then as the lever is moved into closed position and coupled to the holding-link 35 the chain will be very tightly strained and the frame and its attachments rigidly supported upon the post, the bars 26 27 serving as braces to the frame, as shown in Fig. 1, and preventing all movement vertically. The chain 17 is then unwound from the drum 14 and the clamp mem ber 18 connected to the wire to be stretched, a portion of which is represented at 36. Then by actuating the lever 19 20 the chain 17 will be wound upon the drum 14 and the Wire stretched to any required extent. The device is simple in construction, is strong and durable, can be inexpensively manufactured, and operates effectually for the purpose described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is- The combination in a wire-stretching apparatus, of a frame having a winding-drum carrying a flexible draft element terminating in a wire-clamping means, a rod disposed two bars having terminal spurs and swinging from said rod and extending in opposite directions from In testimony that I claim the foregoing as said frame, a flexible binding element oonmy own I have hereto afiixed my signature nected at one end to said frame, a curved lein the presence of two Witnesses.

ver swinging from said frame and adapted to WILLIS HARMON CULP. 5 receive said flexible binding element when in Witnesses:

open position and imparting a strain thereto J W. STINNETT,

when moved into closed position. 1303 WILLA. 

